Can I Go 40 Days Without TV?

Lent is coming up. If you observe it, what are you sacrificing this year? I was thinking about giving up coffee, but television is starting to come to the front of my mind.

Just in case you want to join in with me, I've set up an Event Page on Facebook for us!

What is Lent and when is it?

Lent is a season of the Christian Year where Christians focus on simple living, prayer, and fasting in order to grow closer to God. It's the forty days before Easter. Lent excludes Sundays because every Sunday is like a little Easter. Basically, it's about one-tenth of a year (like a tithe of time). Mardi Gras is the day before Lent, which begins with Ash Wednesday. This year it's from February 13 until March 30, 2013.

My gut is that I will get some comments along the lines of my no fast-food challenge - lots of people telling me they NEVER eat the stuff. Yet these fast food industry is doubling in size something like daily? With television, I will get 100 people telling me how they haven't seen a television in decades. In fact, what is a television?

My faith family observes Lent.  The whole idea is to join in sacrificing as did Christ.  Also, you use the time to draw closer to God.  You focus on prayer and time in the scriptures and on service all while denying your flesh.  You use the time to focus on your true purpose and priorities... something I really need in this season.

So I am thinking television is going to be out of my life for a little while.  Somebody let me know what I miss.

What are you sacrificing?  

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
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Click HERE for information on Mark as a speaker or presenter and HERE to learn about coaching programs to help you realize your potential and live more prosperously!

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7 More Things I Learned from Hip Hop...

I've already confessed to being a Hip Hop Head. Don't hold it too much against me. I find inspiration from unusual places sometimes. I have loved rap music since my dad brought Kurtis Blow's single "The Breaks" home for us to listen to.  There are some lessons that I've learned from it over the years that have helped me in life. Here are some more of my favorites.  For those already standing in judgment, I can assure you that I have my ears and soul in high filter most all the time.  Don't worry about me too much and, if you do, just pray...

1. "On the the next one!" ~Jay Z

Whether you've experienced success or a moment of failure, living forward is the best approach to a successful life.  When Paul speaks of pressing forward, he is not talking about leaving his mistakes behind.  He is talking about leaving his successes behind and striving for God's best for him.  Unintentionally, Jay Z was preaching.

2. "If you ain't got money, you better have hustle. Then when you get yo money, you can add some muscle." ~ 2 Chainz

Use what you have.  Lack of money is NEVER an acceptable excuse when it comes to pursuing your purpose.  If you can't go after it no matter the difficulties, perhaps you don't deserve it anyway.    As Dr. Benjamin Carson said recently: "Don't accept excuses and don't offer any either. When you stop allowing excuses, people start looking for solutions."  Use what you have at your disposal.  When you get more, then use that, too.

3. “You know what it is. Everything I do, I do it big!” ~Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa... unfortunately appearing to be in a marijuana-induced haze 99% of the time... makes a great point.  "Go BIG or go home!" is what they used to say.  Indeed.  There is something to be said for the way a certain amount of boastful confidence can move you forward in life.

4. "Now everybody loves Kanye. I'm almost Raymond." ~Kanye West

You can't be swayed by the crowds.  They are fickle.  Even Jesus knew this.  You have to be purpose-driven from beginning to end.  One day people will hate you and the next they will love you and "they" will sometimes swing back and forth between the two.  Stay focused and true to your calling regardless.


5. "You believe in God. But can you handle it when it's hard?" ~Juvenile

Whoever thought Juve would become a preacher?!  This is a true word.  Do you have faith that God's Word is true or not?  It all comes down to that.

6. "I get my energy from my Inner G." ~Lupe Fiasco

I like Lupe.  Lupe is authentic and seems to be transparent at all turns.  True enthusiasm comes from the inside as spring welling up from your spirit as my pastor likes to talk about.  It is a renewable resource and not dependent upon good circumstances.  In fact, real energy must be independent of circumstances because you have to go back to it for strength when everything around you says you should give up.  I believe you can only get that kind of energy from God.


7. “You gotta have style and learn to be original.” ~Boogie Down Productions

NOBODY pays attention to a copy.  The world only hears unique voices.  Echoes are neat side shows, but contain no new information so people don't pay much for them.  It's funny.  I was watching "Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap" and a recurring theme was how the first thing most acts had to do to succeed is find their own voice.  MC Lyte, Salt, B-Real and others talked about spending hours just walking around their living rooms working on perfecting their voice.  B-Real was told at one point "We like you, but you're fired if you can't sound like YOU instead of like somebody else!"  He got the message.

What are you learning from what you're listening to?  Wisdom is all around but all true wisdom comes from God's Word.  I just like the way others package it at times.

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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"I'm not saying it's right... but I understand!"

Happy Birthday, Mr. Rock.

I will admit right off that I had to Wikipedia you a while back because I couldn't believe your real last name was really "Rock" because it is awesomeness!  You're a funny guy. No question.  If I am honest, I appreciate hearing your stories of how hard you had to work to develop yourself, your worldview and your career maybe more than I appreciate your comedy.  Yes, it looks easy from the outside.  But I understand that comedy is a craft and among the most difficult to master and building a mega-career out of it is an amazing feat.  You've done exceptionally well.

I appreciate THIS INTERVIEW you did with Marc Maron a while back because it encouraged me to keep pressing through hardship and doubt.  Thank you for your transparency.  You don't know how many people are impacted by your words.

Again, all the best!

Sincerely,

Mark Anthony

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Consumer or Producer: Which Are You?

Focus first on finding where YOU can add value as opposed to where value can be added to you and watch how you're blessed from it!  We had a good conversation about this on my Live BIG Die Empty Facebook page recently.  The common wisdom these days is all about what people can do for you...

What a horrible testimony!  Listen to my Google+ Hangout with Don Purdum this week as we talk about consuming vs. producing and what this has to do with healthy relationships and successful business.



I really think you'll enjoy this talk.  Let me know what you think.

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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10 Ways to Live BIGGER!

If the past year wasn't everything you expected, don't live in regret. If 2013 hasn't start the way you wanted, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! Get the tools you need to dream bigger dreams, set higher goals and accomplish them! Learn to plan, take action and GET UNSTUCK!

When: Thursday, February 21 @ 8:00 PM Central Time

Sign Up Here Now ☛ http://forms.aweber.com/form/05/1542679005.htm

You don't want to miss this! It only takes one right idea and the right time to change your future. Here's the way I see it: You can learn from my mistakes or you can make your own. Learning from some of mine is free and painless. Learning from your own hurts a helluva lot and costs a lot, too!

After participating in this call, you will understand...

* The basic components you need to understand in order to set and achieve meaningful goals.
* Steps you can take to create instant momentum in your life.
* How to let go of past failures, regrets, guilt and shame.

I will even go over my recommended reading list. My sincere hope is that 2013 will be a season of shifting for you as you begin to grab hold of everything God has for you!

Also, if you want to work with me privately, please e-mail me at mark@livebigdieempty.com. I can take on a few more people. This is serious now and it's time to be diligent. When I work with you one-on-one, we get specific about action items and accountability so that you get clarity and change!

Sign Up Here Now for the call and I'll see you there! ☛ http://forms.aweber.com/form/05/1542679005.htm

This is a FREE coaching call. It will be well worth your time. If you like it and want more, check out The Live BIG! Die Empty. Purpose & Empowerment Webinar© on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (CST)!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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One is the Loneliest Number That You'll Ever Do...

As much as I hate to admit it out loud, yes, you will have to learn to distance yourself from certain people to advance in life...to preserve your emotional and spiritual health... to grab hold of God's best for your life. I hate to admit because that is the only message most people will get out of this post no matter what I type next...

Most people are naturally drawn to the negative so talking about distancing yourself from people, cutting them out of your life and their general lack of worthiness to be in your space is comfortable for you. It fits. It's easy.  Here's the problem with stopping there, however. You can't build a great life in isolation. Heck, you can't even be truly happy. Isolating yourself from destructive influences only solves half of your problems. You still have another challenge to address.

You have to find people whom to attract into your life, too! You can't build a great life on subtractions. You've got to have additions. This is where much "advice" steers you wrong and causes you continued pain. They teach you to become increasingly skeptical and insulated and, therefore, lead you to less fulfillment.

"Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Here's my challenge: Who can you add to your life this year? What is missing? Companionship? Wise counsel? An exercise buddy? Iron sharpens iron. Look at what you lack and look for somebody who can help you in that area. There is another key, too... look for what you can add to their lives! If you want friends, show yourself friendly.  One is a lonely number!

The point to this post? You weren't meant to live alone on the mountain. Resist the urge. Your flesh will tend towards that direction at times, but fight it. That is not the way towards the life God desires for you!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Stop Trying to Fix Your Spouse (Or Other People)!

Don Purdum and I are getting great feedback on our hangouts! Here's another link for you if you need it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI8h3AhJwOY or just click the link below to check out. This time we're talking about this urge to want to fix our spouses, partners and others around us instead of working on ourselves. As my mothers says "looking out the window instead of looking in the mirror."



I mention one of my favorite quotes in this short talk... "In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas" (commonly translated as "unity in necessary things; liberty in doubtful things; charity in all things" or more literally as "in necessary things unity; in uncertain things freedom; in everything compassion") and it is one of my most treasured Latin phrases. I try to live my life by it in many ways. It is often misattributed to St. Augustine of Hippo, but seems to have been first used in the 17th century by the Archbishop Marco Antonio de Dominis.

The bottom line is we have to learn how to focus the core values we need to share and agree upon... allow that reasonable people can have different views on many other issues... but be gracious in all of it. Now, I hope Don and I have an opportunity to talk about these core values the next time we get together. I hope you can decide what these are for you and your relationships and be gracious enough to let other issues work themselves out. I think this is a mistake singles make while dating, too, thinking that you have to see eye-to-eye on everything or you don't have a match.

So what the video and tell us what you think. Then let me know what else can we talk about for you!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Learn to Forgive or Stay Stuck. Your Choice!

So much anger, bitterness and unforgiveness out there.  No wonder so many people struggle in their relationships.  They are constantly trying to make everyone else pay for past hurts.

I believe I have the gift of encouragement. Hard earned, by the way. I've been betrayed, gutted like a fish emotionally and left for dead, spat upon literally and figuratively, abandoned, used, wasted, lonely, broke and damn near homeless because of combinations of my own mistakes and those who sought to hurt me. You think I can't relate when I say "Forgive" and don't know what I'm talking about? Please.

I think part of my demeanor suggests to people that I haven't been through much - and certainly not what you've been through. False. But I still say "Forgive" because that's where the power is. That's where restoration begins to happen. You don't forgive. You stay stuck. Simple.

But how, you ask?  How can you forgive?  How can you trust?

Here are some thoughts...

• Understand that you have committed sins more heinous towards God than those that have been committed against you and He has chosen to forgive you anyway. 
• Understand that you have often hurt people as much (or more) than those who have hurt you. You don't consider it as such, but they do. You've chosen to justify your actions and vilify theirs. 
• Place a value on what you believe was done to you. If you "price" it out, you will find that it is usually not as costly as you think. Did they destroy your life? No. You're still here. 
• Understand that the person who hurt you can't restore you anyway. Release them from the debt. Releasing them releases you. 
• Stop holding one person's sin against everybody else. That's as unrighteous as me hating others because they resemble you. 

Is it a process? Maybe. I don't tend to think so. I tend to think it's a decision. Eventually you will have to either decide to forgive or decide to continue to hold the sins against that person. Ultimately it is your choice to be free or remain captive.

You have to remember that you have an enemy who works overtime to remind you of your past, as well. He will send messages and messengers about your past to try and stagnate you. Sometimes you have to understand that it's just an echo, compartmentalize it as such and remind yourself that you've moved on from that place. It is unreasonable to think memories won't ever come back. In time, the hurt will fade, too.

Blessings.  I'm standing with you!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful.

All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted! He can be reached in the following ways: Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Talk So People Will Listen; Listen So People Will Talk

So I've started doing Hangouts on Google+ with Don Purdum and he really likes topics like transparency, communication and such.  He's truly pushing me to open up.  I think I like it, but I'm not quite sure.  I keep thinking he's going to press me to open up about something crazy soon!  Join us every Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM LIVE to see what happens.  Or just subscribe to this blog.  I'll probably post most of them.

Anyway, listen to us talk about keys to better communication in relationships and in business.  Click HERE or on the graphic above to begin the video!  We're having fun doing these and hope you're getting good stuff out these!  One thing I enjoyed discussing was "His Needs, Her Needs" and the importance of intimacy, honesty and openness in communication with our partners!

What else can we talk about for you?

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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Prepare For What You've Prayed For!

"Be Prepared." That's the Boy Scout motto. It's also my word for today.

I have shared with you, my friends, a few times before that I believe the Lord shares things with me in dreams regarding direction for my life, encouragements and (sometimes) warnings.  This happens a few times a month for me, typically, and I post them here when I feel the unction that someone else could benefit.  Today is another of those days...

The word of the day is "Prepare" for some of you.

In my dream, I was attending a large convention as one of the featured speakers.  Large gathering.  Convention center.  There appeared to be something in the range of 5000 people attending.  I didn't have a problem with the material or size of the crowd.  But I wasn't ready.

As I waited in the private lounge wherein I was supposed to be getting dressed, I realized I didn't even have my suit with me.  It was in the car.  I had only brought my shoes inside in my travel bag.  As the presenter before me hit the place in his speech where I knew there were only fifteen minutes left before I was to go on, I found myself running around frantically.  I was not going to be ready on time.  I was going to be late.  There was no way to be ready on time by this point.  None!

I was going to be late.  I was going to make a bad impression on the crowd and organizers as they would have to tap dance around for a few minutes while I got dressed.  Late!  Ouch!  Future opportunities missed!

Oh well.

Here's the thing.  The Lord is telling me to prepare for what I've been praying for.  For some of you, you're in the same place.  I KNEW it was almost time for me to come forward.  I was in the right place for it.  But I had not prepared.  What a shame!  What a tragedy!  How terrible to know your day is coming, have a chance to be ready to take full advantage of it and STILL not be ready!!

That's the word for today: Your prayers are about to be answered so prepare for what you prayed for.  Don't allow God's blessings to catch you off guard.  He's heard your request and doors are about to open.  Be ready to walk through them!

Mark Anthony McCray helps people live on PURPOSE, achieve higher PERFORMANCE and experience true PROSPERITY. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don't miss a thing and forward this to a friend if you found it helpful. All material © Copyright, Mark Anthony McCray unless otherwise noted!

He can be reached in the following ways:

Mark@LiveBIGDieEmpty.com
Phone: 281-846-5720
Twitter: @LiveBIGDieEmpty
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LiveBIGDieEmpty
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/markanthonymccray/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103149858138414160703/posts
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/markanthonymccray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/markmccray/

For more information on Mark as a speaker or presenter check out http://livebigdieempty.blogspot.com/p/about-mark_29.html

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